The Legislative Council Building will be handed to the Judiciary to house the Court of Final Appeal when the Legislative Council moves to the new Tamar site.

Chief Executive Donald Tsang said today the Court of Final Appeal's present home in the former French Mission Building on Battery Path is inadequate for its smooth operation.

The LegCo Building was originally designed to be the Supreme Court and was declared an historical monument 25 years ago. Mr Tsang said allowing it to be used for purposes compatible with its original use will help conserve it.

"The Tamar project is on schedule. Since the original Supreme Court was opened in 1912, the Government hopes to hand over the LegCo Building to the Judiciary in 2012, in time for its centenary celebrations," Mr Tsang said.

Welcoming the decision, Chief Justice Andrew Li said the relocation will be carefully planned over the coming years.

"Every effort will be made to ensure the functioning of the Court of Final Appeal will not be affected during the relocation," Mr Li said.